Credit: Associated Press

Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers took the Patriots out of the preferred position as one of the top two seeds in the AFC heading into the playoffs. With two games to play, it looks doubtful they’ll be able to nudge out either Houston or Denver for the right to a first-round bye. Currently, the Pats are the No. 3 seed and would host a game on wild card weekend. How have they fared with and without the bye during the Bill Belichick Era? Let’s take a look:

2001 Record: 11-5

Status: Bye

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